Woven fabric, garment and method for manufacturing the woven fabric

ABSTRACT

A woven fabric may include a base weave having base warp yarns and base weft yarns, a loop weave having anchor yarns and loop yarns extending orthogonal to the anchor yarns. Each anchor yarn may include under portion(s) extending on the back of the base warp yam(s) or weft yarn(s) and two over portions confining the anchor yarn under portion(s) and connecting it with the base weave by extending on the front of the base warp yarn(s) or weft yarn(s). Each loop yarn may include under portion(s) extending on the back of the anchor yarn(s) and two over portions confining the loop yarn under portion(s) and extending on the front of the anchor yarn(s). The anchor yam under portion(s) and loop yarn under portion(s) may extend in between their confining over portions on the back of at least five yarns.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a U.S. national stage application ofInternational Application No. PCT/EP2022/056239, filed Mar. 10, 2022,which claims priority to European Patent Application No. 21161785.7,filed Mar. 10, 2021. Each of these applications is incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field

The disclosure relates to a woven fabric, in particular to a denimfabric, a garment comprising such fabric and a method for manufacturingsuch fabric or garment. The woven fabric has a frontside and a backside.In particular, the woven fabric has a denim-like appearance on thefrontside and a knit-like appearance on the backside.

Related Art

Woven fabrics and knitted fabrics generally have different properties.Woven fabrics such as denim, gabardine, poplin or linen, are more stablethan knitted fabrics but also more rigid so that they do not drape welland feel uncomfortable on a wearers skin. Denim is a very popular wovenfabric. Usually, denim fabrics have a 3/1 weave in that the warp yarnshave over portions extending along three weft yarns on the frontside andunder portions extending along only one weft yarn on the backside.Thereby, in particular, the frontside becomes visually dominated by thewarp yarns whereas the backside of the fabric commonly shows mainly weftyarns. In particular, such denim fabrics are warp-faced fabrics. Inparticular, warp-faced fabrics are fabrics in which the frontside of thefabric is visibly dominated by warp yarns. Other warp-faced fabricsinclude twill, cavalry twill, chino, covert, drill, fancy twill,gabardine, and lining twill. Another characteristic of a denim fabric isin particular the presence of a diagonal pattern on the frontside. Suchdiagonal pattern is, in particular, realized by a diagonal offset of thewarp yarn over portions on the frontside of the fabric. In particular,another characteristic of denim fabrics is the use of indigo dyed warpyarns and in particular undyed weft yarns. In particular in combinationwith the warp-faced structure, this allows providing the typical indigoblue look of a denim fabric's frontside while the backside remainssubstantially white. In the case of ring dyed yarns used for the denimfabric, the indigo dye is most concentrated at the surface of the yarnswhereas the yarns' cores remain undyed which allows for verycharacteristic coloring options. Different finishing techniques can beapplied to denim to enhance the coloring properties. For example, denimcan be hand scraped, sandblasted, stone washed, or treated in other waysthat allow varying amounts of the undyed cores of the indigo yarns tobecome visible. In the following, one or more of the abovecharacteristics of denim fabrics will be referred to as denim-likeappearance.

Although denim is very popular, it has, due to its woven nature, rarelybeen used for articles of clothing that are expected to drape well overthe wearer's body and/or to feel soft on a wearers skin, particularlyfor tops, such as shirts, blouses and sweat-shirts. For articles ofclothing providing such characteristics, knitted fabrics are used mostoften, because knitted fabrics are generally more flexible and able tostretch in every direction so that they drape well over the wearer'sbody and/or provide a soft feeling on the wearers' skin. In thefollowing, one or more of these characteristics will be referred to asknit-like appearance.

Drawbacks of knit-like fabrics are in particular their lower stability,high manufacturing costs and limited suitability to provide a denim-likeappearance. In particular, it is very expensive to create knitted fabricof indigo color. In particular, the yarns used to create a knittedfabric must first be wound on a bobbin for dying, so that a timeconsuming and thus expensive additional manufacturing step is necessary.Contrary thereto, in weaving processes, the yarns are in anyway wound ona bobbin prior to weaving so that no additional step is required.Furthermore, when manufacturing a knitted fabric, both sides thereofwill be dyed, including the fabric's back side which is in contact withthe wearer's skin and may thus leave stains.

In the past, attempts have been made to combine advantageous of knitfabrics and woven fabrics. For instance, in order to create a fabricthat can be manufactured easily by weaving but which provides a look andfeeling similar to a knitted fabric, EP 2 539 493 B1 (US 2011/0212659)suggests to weave warp yarns with two different types of weft yarns,namely elastomeric and hard weft yarns. By means of a larger shrinkageratio of the elastomeric weft yarns, the hard weft yarns form droopyloops which shall provide a knit-like feeling and look on the backsideof the fabric.

However, the inventors identified a need to further increase theknit-like appearance on the backside. Additionally, the inventors foundthat the woven fabric according to EP 2 539 493 B1 (US 2019/0119835)does not look like a denim on the frontside, in particular because theover portions on the frontside of the fabric create not only onediagonal pattern, which is typical for denim, but also a second diagonalpattern created by the over portions of the hard weft yarn, which isoffset with respect to the first diagonal pattern.

The applicant of the present disclosure identified some of thesedrawbacks of EP 2 539 493 B1 (US 2011/0212659) in the past and provideda solution in EP 3 231 907 A1 (US 2019/0119835). Therein, instead ofusing two weft yarn systems, two warp yarn systems comprising frontsidewarp yarns and backside warp yarns are used for providing droopy loopson the backside of the fabric. Thanks to the use of two warp yarnsystems, the loop providing warp yarns can be offset from the frontsideof the fabric towards the backside of the fabric so that their overportions do not impair the denim-like appearance on the frontside of thefabric. However, the inventors of the present disclosure identified aneed to further increase the knit-like appearance on the backside inparticular without impairing the denim-like appearance on the frontside.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a partof the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the presentdisclosure and, together with the description, further serve to explainthe principles of the embodiments and to enable a person skilled in thepertinent art to make and use the embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates a woven fabric according to an exemplary embodimentof the disclosure.

FIG. 2 a illustrates an example of the extension of anchor yarn underportions and loop yarn under portions when the woven fabric is on theloom.

FIG. 2 b illustrates an example of the droopy nature of the anchor yarnunder portions and of the loop yarn under portions after taking thewoven fabric from the loom.

FIG. 3 illustrates a weave structure of a woven fabric according to anexemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a weave structure of a woven fabric according to anexemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a weave structure of a woven fabric according to anexemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a weave structure of a woven fabric according to anexemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a weave structure of a woven fabric according to anexemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a weave structure of a woven fabric according to anexemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates a weave structure of a woven fabric according to anexemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates a weave structure of a woven fabric according to anexemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates a weave structure of a woven fabric according to anexemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates a weave structure of a woven fabric according to anexemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings. Elements, features andcomponents that are identical, functionally identical and have the sameeffect are—insofar as is not stated otherwise—respectively provided withthe same reference character.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of thepresent disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in theart that the embodiments, including structures, systems, and methods,may be practiced without these specific details. The description andrepresentation herein are the common means used by those experienced orskilled in the art to most effectively convey the substance of theirwork to others skilled in the art. In other instances, well-knownmethods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail toavoid unnecessarily obscuring embodiments of the disclosure.

An object of the disclosure is to overcome drawbacks of the prior art,in particular to provide a woven fabric, a garment comprising suchfabric and a method for manufacturing such fabric with increasedknit-like appearance on the backside and in particular with a denim likeappearance on the frontside.

The disclosure relates to a woven fabric, in particular a denim fabric.The woven fabric comprises a base weave comprising base warp yarns andbase weft yarns. The base warp yarns and weft yarns are in particularwoven into a base weave being a warp faced fabric and/or a denim fabricas described below. The warp faced fabric is in particular realized by abase weave in which the base warp yarns comprise under portionsextending on the back of at least one, in particular exactly one, of thebase weft yarns and over portions being confined by two such overportions and extending in between the confining over portions on thefront of at least two, three or four, in particular of exactly three,base weft yarns. Additionally, or alternatively, the base weave has adiagonal pattern on the frontside. Such diagonal pattern is inparticular realized by a diagonal offset of the warp yarn over portionson the frontside of the fabric. Additionally, or alternatively, the basewarp yarns comprise under portions, wherein the under portions ofadjacent base warp yarns form a diagonal pattern which in particularenhances the denim like look of the base weave. In particular the denimfabric is a warp faced fabric having a diagonal pattern.

The woven fabric further comprises a loop weave comprising anchor yarnsand loop yarns extending orthogonal to the anchor yarns. In other words,if the anchor yarns are warp yarns, the loop yarns are weft yarns andvice versa. In particular, the anchor yarns connect the loop weave withthe base weave, in particular by over portions extending on the front ofat least one, in particular exactly one, base weft yarn or base weftyarn and being confined by two under portions of the anchor yarnsextending on the back of at least one base warp yarn or base weft yarn.

The woven fabric further comprises a frontside and a backside, whereineach of the base warp yarns, base weft yarns, anchor yarns and loopyarns has a front facing the frontside and a back facing the backside.In particular, it shall be clear that the terms front and back of a yarndoes not necessarily require the yarn to be present on the frontside or,respectively, the backside of the woven fabric. Rather, in particular,the front and the back are defined as the sides facing the frontsideand, respectively the backside. In particular, the frontside can bedefined as a fictitious straight plane lying flat on one side of thefabric while the backside can be defined as a fictitious straight planelying flat on the opposite side of the fabric.

Each anchor yarn comprises at least one under portion extending on theback of at least one of the base warp yarns or weft yarns and two overportions confining the at least one anchor yarn under portion andconnecting it with the base weave by extending on the front of at leastone, in particular exactly one, of the base warp yarns or weft yarns.

In particular, confining over portions within the meaning of the presentdisclosure, regardless of whether warp yarns or weft yarns areconcerned, are over portions between which the under portion extend, inother word which limit the extension of the under portion in thedirection in which the respective yarn extends. In particular, thisapplies mutatis mutandis to previously and subsequently describedconfining under portions.

Each loop yarn comprises at least one under portion extending on theback of at least one of the anchor yarns and two over portions confiningthe at least one loop yarn under portion and extending on the front ofat least one of the anchor yarns. In particular, the confining loop yarnover portions connect the loop yarns with respective anchor yarns, inparticular in that each of the confining over portions extend on thefront of at least one, in particular exactly one, anchor yarn beingconfined by two loop yarn under portions.

In particular, within the meaning of the present disclosure, a yarnextending on the front of another yarn is to be understood in that itextends between the frontside of the woven fabric and that other yarn.In particular, within the meaning of the present disclosure, a yarnextending on the back of another yarn is to be understood in that itextends between the backside of the woven fabric and that other yarn. Inparticular, a yarn portion, such as an over portion or under portion,extending on minimum or specific number of yarns on the front or theback of a yarn has to be understood in that the yarn floats in itsdirection of extension, for instance for warp yarns the warp direction,along this number of yarns in between its confining portions, forinstance if an under portion is concerned between its two confining overportions.

According to one aspect of the disclosure the at least one anchor yarnunder portion and loop yarn under portion extend in between theirconfining over portions on the back of at least five yarns. This aspectof the disclosure will be described in more detail with respect toembodiments in which the anchor yarns are warp yarns and in which theloop yarns are weft yarns. However, instead, the anchor yarns can alsobe weft yarns and the loop yarns can be warp yarns. All subsequentlydescribed embodiments of the disclosure, according to which the anchoryarns are warp yarns and the loop yarns are weft yarns, shall beconsidered to be mirrored with this alternative configuration.

In particular, the at least one anchor yarn under portion extends inbetween their confining over portions on the back of at least five weftyarns. In particular, these at least five weft yarns can be base weftyarns and/or loop yarns as long as the sum of the base weft yarns andthe loop yarns on the back of which the at least one anchor yarn underportion extends is at least five. Additionally, or alternatively, the atleast one loop yarn under portion extends in between their confiningover portions on the back of at least five warp yarns. In particular,these at least five warp yarns can be base warp yarns and/or anchoryarns as long as the sum of the base warp yarns and the anchor yarns onthe back of which the at least one anchor yarn under portion extends isat least five.

In particular, the at least one anchor yarn under portion and the atleast one loop yarn under portion can be classified as long underportion. The inventors found that the use of long under portions in theanchor yarns and in the loop yarns and therefore in warp direction andin weft direction increases the knit-like appearance on the backsidecompared to the use of long under portions only in weft direction orwarp direction. Surprisingly, it has been found that the knit-likeappearance is thereby increased beyond a knit-like appearance whichwould be achieved by the same number of long under portions only in warpor weft direction. In addition to the advantageous described below withrespect to the inventive concept of droopy under portions in warp andweft direction, one reason for this increased knit-like appearance isthat the long under portions extending in warp and weft directionparticularly provide a visual barrier hiding large sections of the baseweave from being seen and felt at the backside.

In particular, the at least one anchor yarn under portion extends inbetween its confining over portions on the back of at least six, seven,eight, nine, ten, eleven or twelve yarns. In the case of the anchoryarns being warp yarns, these number of yarns can be the sum of baseweft yarns and/or loop yarns. In particular, it is within the scope ofthis disclosure that the anchor yarn under portion also extends on thefront of loop yarns. However, such loop yarns do not count for thedefined minimum number of yarns to be bypassed by the anchor yarn underportion. However, in particular, in the case of the anchor yarns beingwarp yarns, it shall be clear that the anchor yarn under portion doesnot extend on the front of base weft yarns in between its confining overportions. The above applies mutatis mutandis to configurations in whichthe anchor yarns are weft yarns.

In particular, the at least one loop yarn under portion extends inbetween its confining over portions on the back of at least five, seven,nine, eleven, thirteen, fifteen, seventeen, eighteen, twenty,twenty-two, twenty-four or twenty-six yarns. In the case of the loopyarns being weft yarns, these number of yarns can be the sum of basewarp yarns and/or anchor yarns. In particular, it shall be clear thatthe loop yarn under portion does not extend on the front of anchor yarnsin between its confining over portions. The above applies mutatismutandis to configurations in which the loop yarns are warp yarns.

In particular, the at least one anchor yarn under portion extends inbetween its confining over portions on the back of at least four, five,six, seven or eight base warp yarns, in configurations in which theanchor yarns are weft yarns, or base weft yarns, in configurations inwhich the anchor yarns are warp yarns. Additionally, or alternatively,the at least one anchor yarn under portion extends in between itsconfining over portions on the back of at least one, two, three or fourloop yarns. Additionally, or alternatively, the at least one anchor yarnunder portion extends in between its confining over portions on thefront of at least five, six, seven or eight loop yarns.

In particular, the at least one loop yarn under portion extends inbetween its confining over portions on the back of at least three, four,five, six, seven, eight or nine base warp yarns, in configurations inwhich the loop yarns are weft yarns, or base weft yarns, inconfigurations in which the loop yarns are warp yarns. Additionally, oralternatively, the at least one loop yarn under portion extends inbetween its confining over portions on the back of at least two, three,four, five, six, seven or eight anchor yarns.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, which can be combinedwith the previously described aspect of the disclosure and all of itsembodiments, the at least one anchor yarn under portion and loop yarnunder portion are droopy in that they have a length surplus compared tothe distance between their confining over portions. In particular, theat least one anchor yarn under portion and/or the loop yarn underportion extend between their confining over portions curved and spacedfrom the yarns on the backside of which they extend.

In particular, the presence of droopy under portions in the anchor yarnsand the loop yarns and in particular therefore in warp direction and inweft direction increases the knit-like appearance on the backsidecompared to the use of droopy under portions only in weft direction orwarp direction. In particular, the inventive solution increases theknit-like appearance of the backside to such an extent that a personwearing a garment made of the inventive fabric or looking on thebackside of such garment, i.e. the side facing the skin, would classifythe fabric to be a knit fabric. Surprisingly, it has been found that theknit-like appearance is thereby increased beyond a knit-like appearancewhich would be achieved by the same number of droopy under portions onlyin warp or weft direction. One reason for this is that with theinventive solution, the same number of droopy under portions can beprovided by a reduced number of backside warp yarns compared to thesolution known from EP 3 231 907 A1 and with a reduced number ofbackside weft yarns compared to the solution known from EP 2 539 493B 1. Thereby, the warp density and the weft density of the fabric can bechosen more similar which leads to a more uniform fabric coming closerto a knit appearance. Additionally, the inventors of the presentdisclosure surprisingly found that distributing the required number ofyarns providing droopy under portions for the desired knit-likeappearance in warp and weft direction reduces the impairment of thedenim-like look on the frontside by these droopy loop providing yarnscompared to providing such number of yarns only in warp direction orweft direction. Another reason is that droopy under portions extendingin warp direction and weft direction provide the appearance of a looselywoven fabric being independent from base warp yarns and/or base weftyarns. Additionally, the extension of droopy under portions in warp andweft direction provides a visual barrier better hiding the frontsidewarp yarns and/or frontside weft yarns from being seen and felt from thebackside of the fabric.

In particular, the at least one anchor yarn under portion and/or theloop yarn under portion extend in between their confining over portionson the back of at least three, four, five, six, seven or eight yarns, inparticular as described with respect to the previously described aspectof the disclosure. It has been found that realizing the droopy underportions of this aspect of the disclosure as long under as describedwith respect to the previous aspect of the disclosure leads to asignificant increase of the knit-like appearance on the backside of thewoven fabric.

In particular, the length surplus of the at least one anchor yarn underportion is at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 50% or 70%. Additionally, oralternatively, the length surplus of the at least one loop yarn underportion is at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 50% or 70%.

The length surplus of an under portion compared to the distance betweenits confining over portions can be calculated by the following equation:

${LS} = {\left( {\frac{LU}{DO} - 1} \right)*100\%}$

Therein, LS is an abbreviation for the length surplus, LU is anabbreviation for the length of an under portion between its twoconfining over portions, and DO is an abbreviation for the distancebetween the two over portions confining the under portion.

In particular, the base warp yarns comprise under portions extending onthe back of at least one of the base weft yarn and over portionsconfining the base warp yarn under portions and extending on the frontof at least one of the base weft yarns. In particular, the base weftyarns comprise under portions extending on the back of at least one ofthe base warp yarn and over portions confining the base weft yarn underportions and extending on the front of at least one of the base warpyarns. In particular, the base warp yarn under portions and/or the baseweft yarn under portions do not have a length surplus or at least asmaller length surplus compared to the distance between their confiningover portions than the length surplus of the at least one anchor yarnunder portion and/or of the at least one loop yarn under portion. Inparticular in cases where the base warp yarn under portions and/or baseweft yarn under portion have a length surplus compared to the distancebetween its confining over portions, the length surplus is smaller than70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 5%, 3%, 2% or 1%. In particular byweaving and/or choosing the material of the base warp yarns and/or baseweft yarns in that their under portions have no length surplus or asmaller length surplus than the anchor yarn under portion and/or theloop yarn under portion, the knit-like appearance of the fabric can beincreased on the backside of the fabric by the droopy under portions ofthe loop weave while the denim-like look can be maintained or enhancedby in particular relatively straight extension of the base warp yarnsand weft yarns. In particular, under portions having no length surplusextend straight between their confining over portions, in particular notcurved and/or without a space to the yarns on the back of which theunder portions extend.

According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, which can be combinedwith the previously described aspect of long loops and/or of droopyloops in the anchor yarns and in the loop yarns, the loop yarns do notcomprise over portions extending on the front of the base warp yarnsand/or of the base weft yarns. This aspect of the disclosure will bedescribed in more detail with respect to a configuration in which theanchor yarns are warp yarns and in which the loop yarns are weft yarns.In such configuration, the loop yarns do not comprise over portionsextending on the front of the base warp yarns. However, according to analternative configuration, the anchor yarns can also be weft yarns andthe loop yarns can be warp yarns. With this configuration, the loopyarns do not comprise over portions extending on the front of the baseweft yarns. All subsequently described embodiments of the disclosure,according to which the anchor yarns are warp yarns and the loop yarnsare weft yarns, shall be considered to be mirrored with this alternativeconfiguration.

In particular, the loop weave is only connected with the base weave byover portions of the anchor yarns extending over at least one, inparticular exactly one, base weft yarn. In particular, the loop yarn isexclusively interwoven with the anchor yarns. Thereby, the loop yarnscan exclusively extend on the backside of the fabric. Such loop yarnscan, in particular, be called hidden yarn. In particular, the loop yarnsexclusively form over portions with respect to the anchor yarns but notwith respect to the base warp yarns. In particular thereby, the loopyarns do not impair the appearance of the frontside of the fabric. Inparticular therefore, with this aspect of the disclosure, the knit-likeappearance on the backside can be increased without impairing thedenim-like appearance by the loop yarns. Additionally, in combinationwith the aspect of droopy anchor yarn under portions and droopy loopyarn under portion, the loop yarns are exclusively connected with yarnsbeing itself droopy, namely the anchor yarns, thereby providing droopyloop yarn under portions which can easily move in warp direction therebyfurther increasing the knit-like appearance.

In particular, the anchor yarns and/or the loop yarns are offset, inparticular along their entire extension, from the front side towards thebackside. In particular, the frontside can be defined as a fictitiousstraight plane lying flat on one side of the fabric. Accordingly, theoffset of the anchor yarns and/or of the loop yarns can be understood inthat they extend, in particular along their entire extension, spacedfrom this fictitious straight plane. In other words, in particular, theanchor yarns and/or of the loop yarns extend, in particular along theirentire extension, spaced from this fictitious straight plane. Inparticular the offset or the space is at least 5%, 10%, 20%, 30% or 50%of the diagonal extension of at least one, in particular all, of thebase warp yarns. Additionally, or alternatively, at least 20%, 30%, 40%,50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or 100% of the base warp yarns and/or of thebase weft yarns can be in lateral contact with each other. In particularthereby, the base warp yarns and/or of the base weft yarns can form aclosely woven base warp yarn and/or base weft yarn arrangement hidingthe anchor yarns and/or the loop yarns from being seen and/or felt onthe frontside of the woven fabric. Additionally, or alternatively, atleast 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or 100% of the anchor yarnscan located substantially above, in a configuration where the anchoryarns are warp yarns, at least one or two base warp yarn/s. Additionallyor alternatively, at least 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or100% of the loop yarns can be located substantially above, in aconfiguration where the loop yarns are weft yarns, at least one or twobase weft yarn/s. In this regard, substantially can in particular beunderstood in that a yarn being located substantially above another yarnoverlaps the other yarn in the orthogonal direction of its extension,for instance if a warp yarn is concerned in the weft direction, with atleast 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% of its radialextension. In case of an 100% overlap, the respective yarn can inparticular be considered to extend directly above at least one otheryarn having a larger diameter than the yarn or two other yarns each ofwhich having at least a diameter of 50% of the yarn. By one or more ofthe above embodiments, the anchor yarns and/or the loop yarns can behidden by the base weft yarns and/or warp yarns from being seen and/orfelt at the frontside of the fabric. In particular thereby, the anchoryarns and/or the loop yarns can provide the backside of the fabric witha knit-like appearance without impairing the look, in particular thedenim like look, provided by the base weave on the frontside of thefabric.

Additionally, or alternatively, the base warp yarns have axialcenterlines and define a base warp/weft plane extending through theaxial centerlines along over portions of the base warp yarns extendingon the front of the base weft yarns, wherein the anchor yarns and/or theloop yarns have axial centerlines and wherein the anchor yarns and/orthe loop yarns axial centerlines particularly along their entireextension extend on the back of the base warp/weft plane.

In particular, the at least one anchor yarn under portion extends inbetween the base warp yarns or weft yarns and the loop yarns along atleast two, in particular three four, five, six, seven or eight, loopyarns and/or along at least two, in particular three, four, five, six,seven or eight, base warp yarns, in a configuration in which the anchoryarns are weft yarn, or base weft yarns, in a configuration in which theanchor yarns are warp yarns.

An anchor yarn under portion extending in between the base weft yarns,in a configuration in which the anchor yarns are warp yarns, and theloop yarns along such minimum number of base weft yarns and loop yarnscan in particular be called concealed under portion. The inventors foundthat such concealed under portions are of particular advantage becausethey allow on the one hand the concealed under portions to be inparticular substantially not interrupted in particular in their long ordroopy extension in this section and on the other hand shield theconcealed under portion in this section from being seen and/or felt atthe frontside of the woven fabric.

In particular, the base warp yarns and/or the base weft yarns areelastic yarns. Additionally, or alternatively, the anchor yarns and/orthe loop yarns are elastic yarns. In particular, elastic yarns can bedescribed as being capable of being elastically stretched, for examplefor around 10% to around 25% of their original length. The initial ororiginal length of the yarn can be measured while essentially no tensiletension is applied. In particular, an elastic yarn, may consist of orcomprise T400, spandex or elastane, as for instance Lycra® made byInvista. Preferably, an elastic yarn is a composite yarn comprising atleast one inelastic filament and at least one elastic filamentconsisting of T400, spandex or elastane, as for instance Lycra® made byInvista.

In particular, an elastic yarn comprises an elastic core and a sheath,in particular a cotton or polyester sheath. In particular, the elasticcore can comprise at least one, two or three elastic filament. Inparticular, such elastic filament is capable of stretching at leastabout two times of its initial length, i.e. package length. After havingstressed the elastic filament by stretching at least about two times ofits initial length, an elastic recovery of at least 90% up to 100%arises. The elastic recovery is a parameter for the elastic performanceof said filament. The elastic recovery in percent represents a ratio ofthe length of the elastic filament following the release of tensionstress with respect to the length of the elastic filament prior to besubjected to said tension stress (package length). In particular, anelastic recovery having a high percentage, i.e. between 90% and 100%, isto be considered as providing an elastic capability of returningsubstantially to the initial length after the stress was applied. Inparticular, contrary to an elastic filament, an inelastic filament, isdefined by a low percentage elastic recovery, i.e. an inelastic filamentwill not be able to return substantially to its initial length, if astretching of at least two times of its initial length is realized. Saidpercent elastic recovery of filaments can be tested and measuredaccording to the standard ASTMD3107, the entire content of which isexpressively incorporated hereinto by reference. Said test methodASTMD3107 is a testing method for a fabric made from yarns. Of course,it is possible to deviate from the test results of the fabric theelastic recovery for the yarn itself. However, a yarn testing method andtesting device can be used for individual measuring filaments and/oryarns. For instance, USTER TENSOR RAPID-3 device (Uster, Switzerland) isable to measure elasticity, breaking force, etc. of yarns or filaments.An example of said testing device is described in WO 2012/062480 A2which shall be incorporated hereinto by reference.

In particular, typical examples for an elastic filament are apolyurethanic fiber such as elastane, spandex and those filaments thathave similar elastic properties. In particular, an elastic filamentaccording to the disclosure particularly may be stretched at least 300%or 400% of the package length (e.g. as elongation at break). Packagelength shall be understood as the initial or original length of theelastic filament while essentially no tensile tension is applied. Inparticular, examples of elastic filaments which can be used include butare not limited to, Dowxla, Dorlastan (Bayer, Germany), Lycra (Invista,USA), Clerrspan (Globe Mfg. Co., USA), Glospan (Globe Mfg. Co., USA),Spandaven (Gomelast C.A., Venezuela), Rocia (Asahi Chemical Ind.,Japan), Fujibo Spandex (Fuji Spinning, Japan), Kanebo LooBell 15 (KaneboLtd., Japan), Spantel (Kuraray, Japan), Mobilon (Nisshinbo Industries),Opelon (Toray-DuPont Co. Ltd.), Espa (Toyoba Co.), Acelan (TeakwangIndustries), Texlon (Tongkook Synthetic), Toplon (Hyosung), Yantai(Yantei Spandex), Linel, Linetex (Fillatice SpA). In general, theseelastic filaments provide as a basis of the yarn sufficient elasticproperties. It is noted that also elastic filaments made of polyolefincould be used. Besides, a preferred elastic performance filament,according to its (own) manufacturing process, may be formed of multipleelastic monofilaments which are coalesced by one another so as to form asingle or mono elastic performance filament. The single elasticfilament, after its manufacturing step, is to be used as an interstageproduct, i.e. its own manufacturing process was finalized, however, eachsingle elastic filament particularly provided on a mandrel or the like,is ready to be used particularly for realizing the elastic yarn, inparticular the elastic base warp yarns and/or base weft yarns.

In particular, the base warp yarns, the base weft yarns, the anchoryarns and/or the loop yarns can comprise a filamentary core as describedin WO 2016/135211 and/or can be an elastic composite yarn as describedin WO 2016/135211 which shall be incorporated hereinto by reference.

The inventors have found that the use of elastic base warp yarns and/orbase weft yarns is of particular advantage because they can on the onehand be used to provide the anchor yarns and/or the loop yarns withdroopy under portions upon taking the fabric from the loom and providethe woven fabric with stretch ability in warp direction and in weftdirection. In particular in combination with droopy anchor yarn underportions and/or droopy loop yarn under portions being inelastic yarns,such as pure cotton yarns or polyester yarns, a safety mechanism can beestablished in warp and/or weft direction avoiding an overstretching ofthe fabric in warp and/or weft direction as soon as the length surplusof the droopy under portions is compensated by stretching the wovenfabric in the respective direction. In particular thereby, a slaggy lookof the woven fabric, which can be caused by overstretching of theelastic yarns, can be avoided.

In particular, the anchor yarns and/or the loop yarns are less elasticthan the base warp yarns and/or the base weft yarns. In particular, theanchor yarns and/or the loop yarns are inelastic yarns, in particularcotton yarns or polyester yarns. In particular, an inelastic yarn can bedescribed as not being capable of being stretched beyond a maximumlength without permanent deformation, said maximum length being lessthan 1.05 times, preferably less than 1.02 times, of its originallength; or not at all. In particular, typical material for an inelasticyarn are: natural fibers, such as cotton or wool, polyester, nylon, etc.

Additionally, or alternatively, the base warp yarns and/or the base weftyarns have a greater shrinkage ratio than the anchor yarns and/or theloop yarns. In particular, the shrinkage ratio of the base warp yarnsand/or base weft yarns is at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% or 30% higherand/or maximally 200%, 150%, 100%, 80%, 50%, 45%, 40% or 35% higher thanthe shrinkage ratio of the base warp yarns. In particular, the shrinkageratio relates to shrinkage occurring upon taking a fabric from the loom,washing or wetting the yarns and/or a fabric made of these yarns and/orto thermal shrinkage. In particular, methods for measuring the shrinkageratio of a yarn have been described in EP 3 231 907 which shall beincorporated hereinto by reference.

It has been found that using base warp yarns and/or weft yarns having agreater shrinkage ratio than the anchor yarns and/or loop yarns is ofparticular advantage in that it can be used to provide the anchor yarnsand/or the loop yarns with the previously described loose underportions.

In particular, the base warp yarns and/or the base weft yarns have agreater weave tightness than the anchor yarns and/or loop yarns. Inparticular, the sum of a number of over portions and under portions ofone yarn in relation to the number of picks bypassed by said overportions and under portions, defines that yarn's weave tightness. Inparticular, the term “greater weave tightness” shall be understood inthat the respective yarn having the greater weave tightness makes moreups and downs than the yarn having the lower weave tightness. Inparticular, ups and downs mean, in the example of a warp yarn, that thewarp yarn comes up to the front of a weft yarn and, after passing on thefront of a certain number of weft yarns (defining an over portion) goesdown to the back of a weft yarn. In particular, for the same unitarylength of fabric, in the case of warp yarns in warp direction, thenumber of ups and downs of the yarn having the greater weave tightnessis larger than the number of up and down movements of the yarn havingthe smaller weave tightness.

In particular after weaving the fabric, the warp yarns and weft yarnsare not straight anymore, but corrugated. This effect can be referred asto crimping, and, depending on the yarn that it relates to, either aswarp crimp or weft crimp. For example, 100 cm of a straight warp yarnwill in particular be woven to a fabric length of less than 100 cm, forexample 98 to 89 cm. In particular, the shorter length of the wovenfabric in warp direction with respect to the original length of the warpyarn can be referred to as crimp ratio. In particular, the crimp ratiodepends on the diameters of the warp yarns and weft yarns, the densitiesof the warp yarns and weft yarns, as well as on the weaving pattern. Ifthe warp yarn changes up or down for every successive weft yarn, a 1:1weave pattern would be realized which would in particular result in themaximum corrugation or maximum warp crimp. Such a warp moving up anddown with respect to each successive weft yarn realizes the maximumpossible weave tightness. If another warp yarn defines a pattern havingalternating over portions bypassing one weft yarn and under portionsbypassing five weft yarns (which may be called 1/5 weave pattern), theweave tightness would be much less.

In particular by choosing the base warp yarns and/or the base weft yarnsto have a greater weave tightness than the anchor yarns and/or loopyarns, droopy anchor yarn under portions and/or loop yarn under portionscan be provided.

In particular, the base warp yarns and/or weft yarns are tensioned, inparticular remain tensioned after taking the woven fabric from theweaving loom, and/or the anchor yarns and/or loop yarns are tensionless.

In particular, the base warp yarns, the base weft yarns, the anchoryarns and/or the loop yarns are composite yarns or comprise a fibrouscore as described and claimed in WO2020/211977 which shall beincorporated hereinto by reference. Preferably the base warp yarns andthe base weft yarns are such composite yarns and/or comprise suchfibrous core.

In particular, at least one, in particular all, of the base warp yarnsand/or base weft yarns are indigo dyed, and/or wherein the anchor yarnsand/or the loop yarns are not indigo dyed.

In particular, the base warp yarns are indigo dyed and the base weftyarns are undyed. In particular in combination with the warp-facedstructure, this allows providing the typical indigo blue look of a denimfabric's frontside while the backside remains substantially white. Inthe case of using ring dyed yarns for the indigo dyed yarns, the indigodye is most concentrated at the surface of the yarns whereas the yarns'cores remain undyed which allows for very characteristic coloringoptions. Different finishing techniques can be applied to the wovenfabric to enhance the coloring properties. For example, the woven fabriccan be hand scraped, sandblasted, stone washed, or treated in other waysin particular to allow varying amounts of the undyed cores of the indigoyarns to become visible. In particular in combination with the abovedescribed long and/or droopy anchor yarn under portions and loop yarnunder portions, using dyed base warp yarns and/or dyed base weft yarnsin combination with undyed anchor yarns and undyed loop yarnssignificantly increases the protection of the backside of the wovenfabric and in particular a wearers skin contacting the backside fromstaining.

In particular, at least one, in particular all, of the base warp yarnsand/or base weft yarns is thicker than at least one, in particular all,of the anchor yarns and/or of the loop yarns. The inventors have foundthat in particular choosing thicker base warp yarns and/or base weftenhances the effect of hiding the anchor yarns and/or the loop yarns bythe base warp yarns and/or weft yarns as well as the previouslydescribed closely woven base warp yarn and/or base weft yarnarrangement. In particular thereby, the effect of hiding the anchoryarns and/or the loop yarns from being seen and/or felt at the frontsideof the woven fabric is increased thereby avoiding the look of thefrontside, in particular the denim like look provided by the base weave,to be impaired by the anchor yarns and/or the loop yarns. The inventorshave found that this effect can be surprisingly increased by choosingthe base warp yarns and the base weft yarns to be thicker than theanchor yarns and/or the loop yarns.

In particular, the base warp yarns have a yarn count between 7 and 30Ne, in particular between 7 and 20 Ne, more in particular between 7 and10 Ne, In particular alternatively, the base warp yarns can have a yarncount between 20 and 30 Ne or between 10 and 20 Ne.

In particular, the base weft yarns have a yarn count between 10 and 40Ne, in particular between 10 and 30 Ne, more in particular between 10and 20 Ne. In particular alternatively, the base weft yarns have a yarncount between 30 and 40 Ne or between 20 and 30 Ne.

In particular, the anchor yarns have a yarn count between 10 and 75 Ne,in particular between 30 and 75 Ne, more in particular between 50 and 75Ne. In particular alternatively, the anchor yarns have a yarn countbetween 10 and 30 Ne or between 30 and 50 Ne.

In particular, the loop yarns have a yarn count between 40 and 90 Ne, inparticular between 60 and 90 Ne, more in particular between 70 and 90Ne. In particular alternatively, the loop yarns have a yarn countbetween 40 and 60 Ne or between 60 and 70 Ne.

In particular, the base warp yarns and/or the base weft yarns have alager yarn density than the anchor yarns and/or the loop yarns.

In particular, the base warp yarns have a yarn density between 20 and 60yarns/cm, in particular between 20 and 40 yarns/cm, more in particularbetween 20 and 30 yarns/cm. In particular alternatively, the base warpyarns have a yarn density between 40 and 60 yarns/cm or between 30 and40 yarns/cm.

In particular, the base weft yarns have a yarn density between 10 and 50yarns/cm, in particular between 20 and 40 yarns/cm, more in particularbetween 20 and 30 yarns/cm. In particular alternatively, the base weftyarns have a yarn density between 30 and 50 yarns/cm or between 10 and20 yarns/cm.

In particular, the anchor yarns have a yarn density between 5 and 30yarns/cm, in particular between 5 and 20 yarns/cm, more in particularbetween 10 and 20 yarns/cm. In particular alternatively, the anchoryarns have a yarn density between 20 and 30 yarns/cm or between 5 and 10yarns/cm.

In particular, the loop yarns have a yarn density between 5 and 30yarns/cm, in particular between 5 and 20 yarns/cm, more in particularbetween 5 and 10 yarns/cm. In particular alternatively, the loop yarnshave a yarn density between 20 and 30 yarns/cm or between 10 and 20yarns/cm.

In particular, the woven fabric has a fabric weight between 6 and 16ounces/yard, in particular between 8 and 14 ounces/yard, more inparticular between 10 and 12 ounces/yard.

In particular, the anchor yarns and the base warp yarns or weft yarnsare alternated in particular in that each anchor yarn is followed by atleast one, in particular at least two, base warp yarn or weft yarnand/or in that each base warp yarn or weft yarns is followed by at leastone, in particular at least two, anchor yarn. Additionally, oralternatively, the loop yarns and the base warp yarns or weft yarns arealternated in particular in that each loop yarn is followed by at leastone, in particular at least two, base warp yarn or weft yarn and/or inthat each base warp yarn or weft yarn is followed by at least one, inparticular at least two, loop yarn.

In particular, the at least one anchor yarn under portion comprises atleast 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% or 100% of the anchor yarn under portions. Inother words, one or more of the features previously and subsequentlydescribed with respect to the at least one anchor yarn under portion isrealized in at least 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% or 100% of the under portions ofthe anchor yarns, in particular of at least 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% or 100%of the anchor yarns. Additionally, or alternatively the at least oneloop yarn under portion comprises at least 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% or 100% ofthe loop yarn under portions. In other words, one or more of thefeatures previously and subsequently described with respect to the atleast one loop yarn under portion is realized in at least 20%, 40%, 60%,80% or 100% of the under portions of the loop yarns, in particular of atleast 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% or 100% of the loop yarns.

The disclosure also relates to a garment, in particular a trouser, morein particular a denim trouser, comprising a woven fabric according toany of the above described aspects of the disclosures or any of itsembodiments, in particular wherein the frontside is the side beingvisible upon wearing the garment and/or wherein the backside is the sidefacing a wearers skin.

The disclosure also relates to a method for manufacturing a woven fabricaccording to any of the above described aspects of the disclosures orany of its embodiments and/or for manufacturing the above describedgarment. In particular the method can be conducted in that such wovenfabric or garment can be manufactured.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary, schematic embodiment of a woven fabric1 according to the disclosure. The woven fabric 1 comprises a base weavecomprising base warp yarns 3 and base weft yarns 5. The base warp yarns3 and the base weft yarns 5 are woven into the base weave in that thebase warp yarns 3 comprise under portions 13 extending on the back ofone weft yarn 5 and over portions 23 confining the base warp yarn underportions 13 and extending on the front of three base weft yarns 5. Thebase weft yarns 5 comprise under portions 15 extending on the back ofthree base warp yarns 3 and over portions 25 confining the base weftyarn under portions 15 and extending on the front of one base warp yarn3. The base weft yarn over portions 25 of adjacent base weft yarns 5 arediagonally offset from each other to provide a base weave with adiagonal pattern on the frontside FS. The base weave has a 3/1 weaveproviding the base weave with a typical denim look on the frontside(FS).

The woven fabric further comprises a loop weave comprising anchor yarns7 and loop yarns 9 extending orthogonal to the anchor yarns 7. In theillustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 , the anchor yarns 7 are warp yarns sothat the loop yarns 9 are weft yarns. This is also the case for thesubsequently described weaving patterns shown in FIGS. 3 to 12 .However, as explained above, it is also within the scope of the presentdisclosure that the anchor yarns 7 are weft yarns, so that the loopyarns 9 are warp yarns. According to the disclosure, when describingthat an over portion or an under portion extends along base warp yarns 3or base weft yarns 5, the “or” alternative relates to these alternativeconfigurations. In other words, in an embodiment where the anchor yarns7 are warp yarns, the subsequently described anchor yarn under portions17 and anchor yarn over portions 27 extend on the front and,respectively, the back of the base weft yarns. In the alternativeconfiguration, in which the anchor yarns 7 are weft yarns and in whichthe loop yarns 9 are warp yarns, the subsequently described anchor yarnunder portions 17 and over portions 27 respectively extend on the backand, respectively, the front of the base warp yarns 3. The same appliesmutatis mutandis to the loop yarns 9. In the illustrated embodiment, inwhich the loop yarns 9 are weft yarns, the subsequently and previouslydescribed loop yarn under portions 19 and over portions 29 extend on theback and, respectively, on the front of the base warp yarns 3. However,in the alternative configuration where the anchor yarns 7 are weftyarns, so that the loop yarns 9 are warp yarns, the respectivelydescribed loop yarn under portions 19 and loop yarn over portions 29extend on the back and, respectively, on the front of base weft yarns 5.

In the following, the disclosure will be described with respect toembodiments in which the anchor yarns 7 are warp yarns and in which theloop yarns 9 are weft yarns. However, as previously described, it isalso within the embodiment of the disclosure that the anchor yarns 7 areweft yarns and the loop yarns 9 are warp yarns. In this case, aspreviously described, the extension of the respective anchor yarn underportions 17 and of the anchor yarn over portions 27 do not extend on theback of the base weft yarns 5 and, respectively, on the front of thebase weft yarns 5 but on the back of the base warp yarns 3 and,respectively, on the front of the base warp yarns 3. The same appliesmutatis mutandis for the loop yarns 9.

The woven fabric 1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a frontside FS and abackside BS. The side facing the viewer in FIG. 1 is the backside BS.The side facing away from the viewer is the frontside FS. Each of thebase warp yarns 3, base weft yarns 5, anchor yarns 7 and loop yarns 9has a front facing the frontside FS and a back facing the backside BS.For purpose of illustration, the frontside FS and the backside BS areindicated in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b.

In FIG. 1 , the anchor yarns 7 and the base warp yarns 3 are alternatedin that each anchor yarn 7 is followed in weft direction by a group oftwo base warp yarns 3. Each group of two base warp yarns 3 is followedin weft direction by a single anchor yarn 7. Beside this preferredembodiment of the disclosure, the anchor yarns 7 can also be alternatedwith the warp yarns 3 in that each anchor yarn 7 is followed by a singlebase warp yarn 3 or by more than two base warp yarns. Additionally, oralternatively, the anchor yarns 7 can be alternated with the base warpyarns 3 in that each base warp yarn 3 or group of base warp yarns 3 isfollowed by a group of at least two adjacent anchor yarns 7.

In FIG. 1 , the loop yarns 9 are alternated with the base weft yarns 5in that each loop yarn 9 is followed in warp direction by a group of twoadjacent base weft yarns 5. Each group of these two adjacent base weftyarns 5 is followed in warp direction by a single loop yarn 9. Besidesthis embodiment, the loop yarns 9 can also be followed in warp directionby single-base weft yarns 5. Additionally, or alternatively, each baseweft yarn 5 or group of two adjacent base weft yarns can be followed inwarp direction by a group of at least two adjacent loop yarns 9.

In FIG. 1 , each anchor yarn 7 comprises a plurality of under portions17 extending on the back of five base weft yarns 5 and a plurality ofover portions 27 confining each of the anchor yarn under portions 17 andconnecting the anchor under portions 17 with the base weave by extendingon the front of one of the base weft yarns 5.

Further, each loop yarn 9 comprises a plurality of under portions 19extending on the back of multiple anchor yarns 7 and on the back ofmultiple base warp yarns 3. The loop yarns 9 further comprise aplurality of over portions 29 confining the plurality of loop yarn underportions 19 and extending on the front of at least one of the anchoryarns 7.

The previously described aspect of the disclosure, according to whichthe at least one anchor yarn under portion 17 and loop yarn underportion 19 extend in between their confining over portions 27,29 on theback of at least five yarns can be seen in FIG. 1 . Therein, the anchoryarn under portions 17 extend in between their confining anchor yarnover portions 27 on the back of five base weft yarns 5. As can be seenin FIG. 1 , some of the anchor yarn under portions 17 additionallyextend on the back of one loop yarn 9 so that they extend in total onthe back of six yarns, namely five base weft yarns 5 and one loop yarn9. It shall be clear that the number of yarns along which the anchoryarn under portions 17 extend represent the sum of base weft yarns 5 andloop yarns 9 on the back of which the anchor yarn under portions 17extend in between their confining anchor yarn over portions 27. As canbe seen in the different embodiments of weave patterns shown in FIGS. 3to 12 , the aspect of the disclosure relating to the number of yarnsalong which the anchor yarns under portions 17 pass does not necessarilyexclusively relate to the number of base weft yarns 5 and/or loop yarns9. As, for instance, shown in FIG. 12 , the anchor yarn under portions17 can only extend on the back of two loop yarns 9 between theirconfining anchor yarn over portions 27 as long as they additionallyextend on the back of at least three base weft yarns 5 between theirconfining anchor yarn over portions 27. The same applies mutatismutandis to the number of yarns bypassed by the loop yarn under portions19 between their confining loop yarn over portions 29.

In FIG. 1 , the loop yarn under portions 19 extend in between theirconfining over portions 29 on the back of at least five anchor yarns 7.Since the anchor yarns 7 are alternately arranged with groups of twoadjacent base warp yarns 3, the loop yarn under portions 19 additionallyextend in between their confining over portions 29 on the back of sixgroups of two base warp yarns 5 (in other words, in addition on the backof twelve base warp yarns 5). Thus, in total, the loop yarn underportions 19 extend between their confining over portions 29 on the backof at least seventeen yarns.

The aspect of the disclosure, according to which the at least one anchoryarn under portion 17 and loop yarn under portion 19 are droopy in thatthey have a length surplus compared to the distance between theirconfining over portions 27, 29 can also be see in FIG. 1 . In FIG. 1 ,the anchor yarn under portions 17 extend curved in that they are spacedfrom the base weft yarns 5 and loop yarns 9 on the back of which theyextend. The same applies to the loop yarn under portions 19 extendingcurved and being spaced from the base warp yarns 3 and the anchor yarns7 on the back of which they extend. Contrary thereto, the base warp yarnunder portions 13 and the base weft yarn under portions 15 are incontact with the yarns 5, 3 on the back of which they extend.

A method for calculating the length surplus of the anchor yarn underportions 17 and loop yarns under portion 19 compared to the distancebetween their confining over portions 27, 29 can be explained on thebasis of FIG. 2 b . In FIG. 2 b , droopy under portions are only shownin one. However, as previously described, contrary to FIG. 2 b , theinventive fabric can comprise droopy under portions in warp directionand in weft direction. In FIG. 2 b , droopy under portions 17, 19 can beseen extending curved and spaced from the yarns 3, 5 on the back ofwhich they extend. The droopy under portions 17, 19 are confined by twoover portions 27, 29 extending on the front of one yarn 3, 5. The lengthsurplus of an under portion 13, 15, 17, 19 compared to the distancebetween its confining over portions 23, 25, 27, 29 can be calculated bythe following equation:

${LS} = {\left( {\frac{LU}{DO} - 1} \right)*100\%}$

Therein, LS is an abbreviation for the length surplus, LU is anabbreviation for the length of an under portion 13, 15, 17, 19 betweenits two confining over portions 23, 25, 27, 29, and DO is anabbreviation for the distance between the two over portions 23, 25, 27,29 confining the under portion 13, 15, 17, 19. In particular, the lengthsurplus of the droopy under portions 17, 19 has to be calculated aftertaking the fabric from the loom. As long as the fabric is on the loom,the anchor yarn under portions 17 and the loop yarn under portions 19can extend straight as shown in FIG. 2 a between their confining overportions 27, 29, in other words do not have a length surplus.

The aspect of the disclosure, according to which the loop yarns 9 do notcomprise over portions extending on the front of the base warp yarns 3and/or the base weft yarns 5 can be seen in FIG. 1 . As previouslydescribed, FIG. 1 shows an embodiment in which the loop yarns 9 are weftyarns 5. Respectively, with respect to FIG. 1 , this aspect of thedisclosure requires the loop yarns 9 to not comprise over portionsextending on the front of the base warp yarns 3. In other words, theloop yarns 9 do never extend on the front of the base warp yarns 3.

As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the anchor yarns 7 and the loop yarns 9 areoffset along their entire extension from the front side FS. In order tocheck whether the loop yarns 9 and the anchor yarns 7 are offset fromthe front side FS, the front side FS can be defined as a fictitiousstraight plane lying flat on one side of the fabric. Additionally oralternatively it could be said that the base warp yarns 3 have axialcenterlines and define a base warp/weft plane extending through thecenterlines along over portions 23 of the base warp yarns 3 extending onthe front of the base weft yarns 5, wherein the anchor yarns 7 and/orthe loop yarns 9 have axial centerlines and wherein the anchor yarns 7and/or the loop yarns 9 axial centerlines particularly along theirentire extension extend on the back of the base warp/weft plane. Theterm “axial centerlines” as used herein particularly refers to thelongitudinal axis of a yarn, in other words, to a line connecting thecenter (midpoint) of the cross sections of the respective yarn, inparticular of the cross sections of infinite slices arranged one afterthe other in longitudinal direction to form the yarn. In particular, theaxial centerline follows the course of the yarn, in other words, if theyarn is curved or extends in a sinus like manner, the axial center lineextends in the same curved or sinus like manner In FIG. 1 , the anchoryarn under portions 17 extend in between the base weft yarns 5 and theloop yarns 9 along one or two loop yarns 9 and along five base weftyarns 5.

The droopy nature of the anchor yarn under portions 17 and/or of theloop yarn under portions 19 can be realized for instance by choosingelastic yarns for the base warp yarns 3 and/or the base weft yarns 5and/or by choosing anchor yarns 7 and/or loop yarns 9 being less elasticthan the base warp yarns 3 and/or the base weft yarns 5. Additionally,or alternatively, the droopy nature might be realized by choosing basewarp yarns 3 and/or base weft yarns 5 having a greater shrinkage ratiothan the anchor yarns 7 and/or the loop yarns 9. As exemplaryillustrated in FIG. 2 b , after taking the woven fabric 1 from the loom,the base warp yarns 3 and/or the base weft yarns 5, can be tensioned.Additionally, or alternatively, the anchor yarn under portions 17 and/orthe loop yarn under portions 19 can be tensionless.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the base warp yarns 3 can be thicker than theanchor yarns 7 and/or the loop yarns 9. Additionally, or alternatively,the base warp yarns 3 can be thicker than the base weft yarns 5.Additionally, or alternatively, the anchor yarns 7 can be thicker thanthe loop yarns 9.

In the following, the disclosure will be described in more detail withrespect to ten embodiments of weave patterns shown in FIGS. 3 to 12 . Inall of these weave patterns, the vertical direction is the warpdirection and the horizontal direction is the weft direction. All ofthese weave patterns comprise base warp yarns 3, base wefts yarns 5,anchor yarns 7 and loop yarns 9. All of these weave patterns comprisethree sub-weave patterns, namely a selvedge sub-weave pattern 31, a basewarp yarn sub-weave pattern 33 and an anchor yarn sub-weave pattern 37.In FIG. 3 , the selvedge sub-weave pattern 31 is highlighted by theframe 31 framing all weft yarns 5, 9 and the first two warp yarns inweft direction. The base warp yarn sub-weave pattern 33 is highlightedby the frame 33 framing all weft yarns 5, 9 and the base warp yarns 3.The anchor yarn sub-weave pattern 37 is highlighted by the frame 37framing all weft yarns 5, 9 and the anchor yarns 7.

In all of the weave patterns shown in the FIGS. 3 to 12 , thealternation of the base weft yarns with the loop yarns 9 is specified.In the weave pattern illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 7 , the loop yarns 9and the base weft yarns 5 are alternated in that single loop yarns 9 arefollowed by groups of two base weft yarns 5. In the weave patternillustrated in FIGS. 5, 8 and 9 , the loop yarns 9 and the base weftyarns 5 are alternated in that groups of two loop yarns 9 are followedby groups of two base weft yarns 5. In the weave pattern illustrated inFIGS. 6, 10, 11 and 12 , the loop yarns 9 and the base weft yarns 5 arealternated in that single loop yarns 9 are followed by single base weftyarns 5.

Contrary to the alternation of the loop yarns 9 and the base weft yarns5, the alternation of the base warp yarns 3 and the anchor yarns 7 isnot specified in the weave patterns shown in FIGS. 3 to 12 . Thepreferred alternation of anchor yarns 7 and base warp yarns 3 of any ofthe weave patterns shown in FIGS. 3 to 12 is the previously describedand in FIG. 3 illustrated alternation, according to which each anchoryarn 7 is alternated with base warp yarns 3 in that single anchor yarn 7are followed in weft direction by groups of two base warp yarns 3.However, it shall be clear that the weave patterns shown in FIGS. 3 to12 can also be realized by different alternations of the anchor yarns 7and base warp yarns 3, such as those alternations described above.

The base warp yarn sub-weave pattern 33 illustrates how the base weftyarns 5 and the loop yarns 9 are interwoven with respect to the basewarp yarns 3. This means that, regardless of the alternation of the basewarp yarns 3 and the anchor yarns 7, the base weft yarns 5 and the loopyarns 9 will always, with respect to the base warp yarns 3, be woven asillustrated in the base warp yarn sub-weave pattern 33. As can be seenby comparing FIGS. 3 to 12 , in the base warp yarns sub-weave pattern 33of all FIGS. 3 to 12 , the base weft yarns 5 are woven with the basewarp yarns 3 in an 3/1 alternation in that the base weft yarns 5comprise over portions 25 extending on the front of one base warp yarn 3and under portions 15 extending between two confining over portions 25on the back of three base warp yarns 3. Contrary thereto, the loop yarns9, in the base warp yarn sub-weave pattern 33 shown in all FIGS. 3 to 12, do not comprise over portions extending on the front of the base warpyarns 3. In other words, the loop yarns 9 always remain on the back ofthe base warp yarns 3. The base weft yarn over potions 25 extending onthe front of the base warp yarns 3 form a diagonal pattern in all basewarp yarn sub-weave patterns 33 shown in FIGS. 3 to 12 for providing thebase weave with the diagonal look of a denim fabric.

Now, the anchor yarn sub-weave pattern 37 will be described in moredetail for each of the weave patterns shown in FIGS. 3 to 12 separately.In FIG. 3 , in the anchor yarn sub-weave pattern 37, the base weft yarns5 comprise under portions extending on the back of one anchor yarn 7confining over portions extending on the front of eight anchor yarns 7.The loop yarns 9 comprise in the anchor yarn sub-weave pattern 37 overportions 29 extending on the front of one anchor yarn 7 and confiningloop yarn under portions 19 extending on the back of six anchor yarns 7between its confining over portions 29. In particular, these underportions 19 can be called longer under portions. In weft direction, eachlonger under portion 19 is followed by one shorter under portion, afteran intermediate over portion 29, extending on the back of one anchoryarn 7.

In FIG. 3 , in the anchor yarn sub-weave pattern, the anchor yarns 7comprise under portions 17 extending on the back of eight base weftyarns 5 between two confining anchor yarn over portions 27 extending onthe front of one base weft yarn 5 and confining the anchor yarn underportion 17. As can be seen in the small frame, framing such anchor yarnunder portion 17 and its two confining over portions 27, the anchor yarnunder portion 17 can in addition extend on the back of two loop yarns 9(black boxes) and on the front of three loop yarns 9 (white boxes) inbetween its confining over portion 27. Respectively, the framed anchoryarn under portion 17 extends on the back of ten yarns, namely on theback of eight base weft yarns 5 and on the back of two loop yarns 9,between its confining over portions 27. The over portions and underportions of the base weft yarns 5 and of the loop yarns 9 are arrangedin all examples shown in the FIGS. 3 to 12 in a diagonal pattern.

In FIG. 4 , in the anchor yarn sub-weave pattern 37, the base weft yarns5 comprise under portions extending on the back of one anchor yarn 7confining over portions extending on the front of eight anchor yarns 7.The loop yarns 9 comprise in the anchor yarn sub-weave pattern 37 overportions 29 extending on the front of one anchor yarn 7 and confiningloop yarn under portions 19 extending on the back of four anchor yarns 7between its confining over portions 29. In particular, these underportions 19 can be called longer under portions. In weft direction, eachlonger under portion 19 is followed by two shorter under portion, afterrespective intermediate over portions 29, extending on the back of oneanchor yarn 7.

In FIG. 4 , in the anchor yarn sub-weave pattern, the anchor yarns 7comprise under portions 17 extending on the back of eight base weftyarns 5 between two confining anchor yarn over portions 27 extending onthe front of one base weft yarn 5 and confining the anchor yarn underportion 17.

In FIG. 5 , in the anchor yarn sub-weave pattern 37, the base weft yarns5 comprise under portions extending on the back of one anchor yarn 7confining over portions extending on the front of eight anchor yarns 7.The loop yarns 9 comprise in the anchor yarn sub-weave pattern 37 overportions 29 extending on the front of one anchor yarn 7 and confiningloop yarn under portions 19 extending on the back of six anchor yarns 7between its confining over portions 29. In particular, these underportions 19 can be called longer under portions. In weft direction, eachlonger under portion 19 is followed by one shorter under portion, afterone respective intermediate over portion 29, extending on the back ofone anchor yarn 7.

In FIG. 5 , in the anchor yarn sub-weave pattern, the anchor yarns 7comprise under portions 17 extending on the back of eight base weftyarns 5 between two confining anchor yarn over portions 27 extending onthe front of one base weft yarn 5 and confining the anchor yarn underportion 17.

In FIG. 6 , in the anchor yarn sub-weave pattern 37, the base weft yarns5 comprise under portions extending on the back of one anchor yarn 7confining over portions extending on the front of eight anchor yarns 7.The loop yarns 9 comprise in the anchor yarn sub-weave pattern 37 overportions 29 extending on the front of one anchor yarn 7 and confiningloop yarn under portions 19 extending on the back of six anchor yarns 7between its confining over portions 29. In particular, these underportions 19 can be called longer under portions. In weft direction, eachlonger under portion 19 is followed by one shorter under portion, afterone respective intermediate over portion 29, extending on the back ofone anchor yarn 7.

In FIG. 6 , in the anchor yarn sub-weave pattern, the anchor yarns 7comprise under portions 17 extending on the back of eight base weftyarns 5 between two confining anchor yarn over portions 27 extending onthe front of one base weft yarn 5 and confining the anchor yarn underportion 17.

In FIG. 7 , in the anchor yarn sub-weave pattern 37, the base weft yarns5 comprise under portions extending on the back of one anchor yarn 7confining over portions extending on the front of eight anchor yarns 7.The loop yarns 9 comprise in the anchor yarn sub-weave pattern 37 overportions 29 extending on the front of one anchor yarn 7 and confiningloop yarn under portions 19 extending on the back of eight anchor yarns7 between its confining over portions 29.

In FIG. 7 , in the anchor yarn sub-weave pattern, the anchor yarns 7comprise under portions 17 extending on the back of eight base weftyarns 5 between two confining anchor yarn over portions 27 extending onthe front of one base weft yarn 5 and confining the anchor yarn underportion 17.

In FIG. 8 , in the anchor yarn sub-weave pattern 37, the base weft yarns5 comprise under portions extending on the back of one anchor yarn 7confining over portions extending on the front of eight anchor yarns 7.The loop yarns 9 comprise in the anchor yarn sub-weave pattern 37 overportions 29 extending on the front of one anchor yarn 7 and confiningloop yarn under portions 19 extending on the back of eight anchor yarns7 between its confining over portions 29.

In FIG. 8 , in the anchor yarn sub-weave pattern, the anchor yarns 7comprise under portions 17 extending on the back of eight base weftyarns 5 between two confining anchor yarn over portions 27 extending onthe front of one base weft yarn 5 and confining the anchor yarn underportion 17.

In FIG. 9 , in the anchor yarn sub-weave pattern 37, the base weft yarns5 comprise under portions extending on the back of one anchor yarn 7confining over portions extending on the front of eight anchor yarns 7.The loop yarns 9 comprise in the anchor yarn sub-weave pattern 37 overportions 29 extending on the front of one anchor yarn 7 and confiningloop yarn under portions 19 extending on the back of four anchor yarns 7between its confining over portions 29. In particular, these underportions 19 can be called longer under portions. In weft direction, eachlonger under portion 19 is followed by two shorter under portion, afterrespective intermediate over portions 29, extending on the back of oneanchor yarn 7.

In FIG. 9 , in the anchor yarn sub-weave pattern, the anchor yarns 7comprise under portions 17 extending on the back of eight base weftyarns 5 between two confining anchor yarn over portions 27 extending onthe front of one base weft yarn 5 and confining the anchor yarn underportion 17.

In FIG. 10 , in the anchor yarn sub-weave pattern 37, the base weftyarns 5 comprise under portions extending on the back of one anchor yarn7 confining over portions extending on the front of eight anchor yarns7. The loop yarns 9 comprise in the anchor yarn sub-weave pattern 37over portions 29 extending on the front of one anchor yarn 7 andconfining loop yarn under portions 19 extending on the back of fouranchor yarns 7 between its confining over portions 29. In particular,these under portions 19 can be called longer under portions. In weftdirection, each longer under portion 19 is followed by two shorter underportion, after respective intermediate over portions 29, extending onthe back of one anchor yarn 7.

In FIG. 10 , in the anchor yarn sub-weave pattern, the anchor yarns 7comprise under portions 17 extending on the back of eight base weftyarns 5 between two confining anchor yarn over portions 27 extending onthe front of one base weft yarn 5 and confining the anchor yarn underportion 17.

In FIG. 11 , in the anchor yarn sub-weave pattern 37, the base weftyarns 5 comprise under portions extending on the back of one anchor yarn7 confining over portions extending on the front of eight anchor yarns7. The loop yarns 9 comprise in the anchor yarn sub-weave pattern 37over portions 29 extending on the front of one anchor yarn 7 andconfining loop yarn under portions 19 extending on the back of eightanchor yarns 7 between its confining over portions 29.

In FIG. 11 , in the anchor yarn sub-weave pattern, the anchor yarns 7comprise under portions 17 extending on the back of eight base weftyarns 5 between two confining anchor yarn over portions 27 extending onthe front of one base weft yarn 5 and confining the anchor yarn underportion 17.

In FIG. 12 , in the anchor yarn sub-weave pattern 37, the base weftyarns 5 comprise under portions extending on the back of one anchor yarn7 confining over portions extending on the front of eight anchor yarns7. The loop yarns 9 comprise in the anchor yarn sub-weave pattern 37over portions 29 extending on the front of one anchor yarn 7 andconfining loop yarn under portions 19 extending on the back of twoanchor yarns 7 between its confining over portions 29. In particular,these under portions 19 can be called longer under portions. In weftdirection, each longer under portion 19 is followed by three shorterunder portion, after respective intermediate over portions 29, extendingon the back of one anchor yarn 7.

In FIG. 12 , in the anchor yarn sub-weave pattern, the anchor yarns 7comprise under portions 17 extending on the back of eight base weftyarns 5 between two confining anchor yarn over portions 27 extending onthe front of one base weft yarn 5 and confining the anchor yarn underportion 17.

The features disclosed in the above description, the figures and theclaims may be significant for the realization of the disclosure in itsdifferent embodiments individually as in any combination.

REFERENCE SIGNS

1 woven fabric

3 base warp yarns

5 base weft yarns

7 anchor yarns

9 loop yarns

13 base warp yarn under portion

15 base weft yarn under portion

17 anchor yarn under portion

19 loop yarn under portion

23 base warp yarn over portion

25 base weft yarn over portion

27 anchor yarn over portion

29 loop yarn over portion

31 selvedge sub-weave pattern

33 base warp yarn sub-weave pattern

37 anchor yarn sub-weave pattern FS front side BS back side

1. A woven fabric comprising: a base weave comprising base warp yarnsand base weft yarns; a loop weave comprising anchor yarns and loop yarnsextending orthogonal to the anchor yarns; and a frontside and abackside, wherein each of the base warp yarns, base weft yarns, anchoryarns, and loop yarns has a front facing the frontside and a back facingthe backside, wherein: each anchor yarn includes: at least one underportion extending on the back of at least one of the base warp yarns orweft yarns, and two over portions confining the at least one anchor yarnunder portion and connect the at least one anchor yarn under portionwith the base weave by extending on the front of at least one of thebase warp yarns or weft yarns, each loop yarn includes at least oneunder portion extending on the back of at least one of the anchor yarnsand two over portions extending on the front of at least one of theanchor yarns and confining the at least one loop yarn under portion; theat least one anchor yarn under portion and the at least one loop yarnunder portion extend in between their respective confining two overportions on on a back of at least five yarns.
 2. The woven fabricaccording to claim 1, wherein: the at least one anchor yarn underportion extends in between its respective two confining over portions ona back of at least six yarns; and/or the at least one loop yarn underportion extends in between its respective confining two over portions ona back of at least five, yarns.
 3. The woven fabric according to claim1, wherein the at least one anchor yarn under portion extends in betweenits respective two confining over portions; on the back of at least fourbase warp yarns or weft yarns; on the back of at least one loop yarns;and/or on the front of at least five loop yarns.
 4. The woven fabricaccording to claim 1, wherein the at least one loop yarn under portionextends in between its confining over portions; on the back of at leastthree base warp yarns or weft yarns, and/or on the back of at least twoanchor yarns.
 5. The woven fabric according to claim 1, wherein the atleast one anchor yarn under portion and the at least one loop yarn underportion are droopy in that they have a length surplus compared to adistance between their respective confining two over portions.
 6. Thewoven fabric according to claim 5, wherein; the length surplus of the atleast one anchor yarn under portion is at least 10%, and/or the lengthsurplus of the at least one loop yarn under portion is at least 10%. 7.The woven fabric according to claim 5, wherein: the base warp yarnscomprise under portions extending on the back of at least one of thebase weft yarn and over portions confining the base warp yarn underportions and extending on the front of at least one of the base weftyarns, the base weft yarns comprise under portions extending on the backof at least one of the base warp yarn and over portions confining thebase weft yarn under portions and extending on the front of at least oneof the base warp yarns; and the base warp yarn under portions and/or thebase weft yarn under portions lack a length surplus or lack at least asmaller length surplus compared to the distance between their respectiveconfining two over portions than the length surplus of the at least oneanchor yarn under portion and/or the length surplus of the at least oneloop yarn under portion.
 8. The woven fabric according to claim 1,wherein the loop yarns lack over portions extending on the front of thebase warp yarns and/or extending on the front of the base weft yarns. 9.The woven fabric according to claim 1, wherein: the anchor yarns and/orthe loop yarns are offset along their extension from the front sidetowards the backside, and/or the base warp yarns have axial centrelinesand define a base warp/weft plane extending through the axialcenterlines along over portions (23) of the base warp yarns (3)extending on the front of the base weft yarns; and the anchor yarnsand/or the loop yarns have axial centerlines, the anchor yarnscenterlines and/or the loop yarns axial centerlines along theirextension extend on the back of the base warp/weft plane.
 10. The wovenfabric according to claim 1, wherein the at least one anchor yarn underportion extends in between: (a) the base warp yarns or weft yarns, and(b) the loop yarns, along at least two loop yarns and/or along at leasttwo base warp yarns or weft yarns.
 11. The woven fabric according toclaim 1, wherein: the base warp yarns and/or the base weft yarns areelastic yarns comprising an elastic core and a cotton or polyestersheath; the anchor yarns and/or the loop yarns are less elastic than thebase warp yarns and/or the base weft yarns; the base warp yarns and/orthe base weft yarns have a greater shrinkage ratio than the anchor yarnsand/or the loop yarns (9); the base warp yarns and/or the base weftyarns have a greater weave tightness than the anchor yarns and/or loopyarns; the base warp yarns and/or weft yarns are tensioned; and/or theanchor yarns and/or loop yarns are tensionless.
 12. The woven fabricaccording to claim 1, wherein: at least one of the base warp yarnsand/or base weft yarns are indigo dyed, and/or the anchor yarns and/orthe loop yarns are not indigo dyed.
 13. The woven fabric according toclaim 1, wherein: at least one of the base warp yarns and/or base weftyarns is thicker than at least one of the anchor yarns and/or at leastone of the loop yarns; the base warp yarns have yarn count between 7 and30 Ne; the base weft yarns have a yarn count between 10 and 40 Ne; theanchor yarns have a yarn count between 10 and 75 Ne; the loop yarns havea yarn count between 40 and 90 Ne.
 14. The woven fabric according toclaim 1, wherein: the base warp yarns and/or base weft yarns have alager yarn density than the anchor yarns and/or the loop yarns; the basewarp yarns have a yarn density between 20 and 60 yarns/cm; the base weftyarns have a yarn density between 10 and 50 yarns/cm; the anchor yarnshave a yarn density between 5 and 30 yarns/cm; the loop yarns have ayarn density between 5 and 30 yarns/cm; and/or the woven fabric has afabric weight between 6 and 16 ounces/yard.
 15. The woven fabricaccording to claim 1 wherein: the anchor yarns and the base warp yarnsor weft yarns are alternated such that: (a) each anchor yarn is followedby at least one base warp yarn or weft yarn, and/or (b) each base warpyarn or weft yarns is followed by at least one anchor yarn; and/or theloop yarns and the base warp yarns or weft yarns are alternated suchthat: (a) each loop yarn is followed by at least one base warp yarn orweft yarn, and/or (b) each base warp yarn or weft yarn is followed by atleast one loop yarn.
 16. The woven fabric according to claim 1, wherein:the at least one anchor yarn under portion comprises at least 20% of theanchor yarn under portions; and/or the at least one loop yarn underportion comprises at least 20% of the loop yarn under portions.
 17. Agarment comprising the woven fabric according to claim 1, wherein thefrontside being visible upon wearing the garment and/or the backsidefacing a wearers skin.
 18. (canceled)
 19. Woven fabric comprising: abase weave comprising base warp yarns and base weft yarns; a loop weavecomprising anchor yarns and loop yarns extending orthogonal to theanchor yarns; and a frontside and a backside, wherein each of the basewarp yarns, base weft yarns, anchor yarns, and loop yarns has a frontfacing the frontside and a back facing the backside, wherein: eachanchor yarn comprises: at least one under portion extending on the backof at least one of the base warp yarns or weft yarns, and two overportions confining the at least one anchor yarn under portion andconnecting the at least one anchor yarn under portion with the baseweave by extending on the front of at least one of the base warp yarnsor weft yarns, each loop yarn comprises at least one under portionextending on the back of at least one of the anchor yarns and two overportions extending on the front of at least one of the anchor yarns andconfining the at least one loop yarn under portion, and the at least oneanchor yarn under portion and the at least one loop yarn under portionare droopy in that they have a length surplus compared to a distancebetween their respective confining two over portions.
 20. Woven fabriccomprising: a base weave comprising base warp yarns and base weft yarns;a loop weave comprising anchor yarns and loop yarns extending orthogonalto the anchor yarns; and a frontside and a backside, wherein each of thebase warp yarns, base weft yarns, anchor yarns, and loop yarns has afront facing the frontside and a back facing the backside, wherein: eachanchor yarn comprises: at least one under portion extending on the backof at least one of the base warp yarns or weft yarns, and two overportions confining the at least one anchor yarn under portion andconnecting the at least one anchor yarn under portion with the baseweave by extending on the front of at least one of the base warp yarnsor weft yarns, each loop yarn comprises at least one under portionextending on the back of at least one of the anchor yarns and two overportions extending on the front of at least one of the anchor yarns andconfining the at least one loop yarn under portion, and the loop yarnslack over portions extending on the front of the base warp yarns and/orextending on the front of the base weft yarns.